I don't even know where to start...but I can tell you that I'm at the end of my rope and very frustrated with my situation right now. I am 41 years old and since late June (6 months now), I have not had a pain-free day. When I first had the pain, I just KNEW it was the flu as I've had it before. The flu muscle aches are hard to forget. I only ran a low grade fever, but still went to the doctor for a flu test. It was negative. After a few weeks of continued pain, off and on low grade fever (between 99 and 100.5) and general malaise, I went back to the doctor and had blood work done. Everything was normal. Long story short...I've been to a rheumatologist, infectious disease specialist, and a vascular surgeon. Tons of blood tests have been done and we have no diagnosis...except for Raynaud's--which I already knew I had and doesn't explain my pain. The pain is horrible and mostly in my arms and legs...sometimes in my fingers and toes. I also have a weird itchy, red, flaky rash around one of my eyes now. I get the low grade fever about twice a month. My family doctor says it's stress and I need to try to be happy. My husband says I'm becoming a bore and believes it's all in my head. I don't know what to do. I'm tired of hurting. It's really affecting my quality of life. I can't be the mom or wife I want to be while feeling this bad.

FROM OUR EXPERTS

Like Cort, fibromyalgia was the first thing I thought of, too. In fact, FM is often described as feeling like you have the flu all the time.

You sound so much like me. I was a year younger than you when I began having similar symptoms. For seven years doctors told me it was stress and/or I was "just getting older." Back then very few doctors knew anything about fibromyalgia. Although we still have a way to go, things have improved significantly since then.

I'd suggest reading through the basic articles. If you think that sounds like what's going on with you, try to find a doctor who has experience in treating FM. In the past two years, three medications have been approved for treating FM, so there are more options available than ever before.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. I hope you're able to get an accurate diagnosis soon.

Have you it checked for fibromyalgia? FM is associated with body wide pain, can be triggered by the flu and doesn't show up on laboratory tests - since there is no marker for it. It doesn't always respond to traditional pain medications either. If you've gone through the wringer and nothing shows up yet you're still in pain see if you can find a Dr. who is knowledgeable in fibromyalgia.

Just being in pain causes increased stress and anxiety which in turn feeds on the pain and stress. Relaxation exercises can actually be quite helpful with pain. You might want to try a mindfulness-based stress reduction course (MBSR). They were developed for people in pain and they can be found in many areas.

Every time I shave my legs, I get itchy, red bumps. How can I get rid of them and how can I prevent them?
In order to take care of shaving-related irritations, it's important to know the underlying cause of inflamed bumps. Razor burn, which results from improper shaving techniques, can create a rash-like appearance that usually fades on its own after a few days. On the other hand, it's possible that those razor bumps are the result of ingrown hairs, which are also referred to as pseudofolliculitis barbae.
When shaving, make sure you use a gentle hand. If your problem is simply razor burn, you need to make a few adjustments to your shaving routine in order to reduce irritation and inflammation. To start, soften the hair by soaking your legs for several minutes in warm water. Invest in a moisturizing shave gel-soap doesn't cut it-and lather the shaving area completely. Let the lather sit on the hair for a minute before proceeding.
Instead of trying to hold on to dis...

“Sciatica” is an old world term that refers to leg pain felt down the back of the thigh into the calf and foot. What about thigh pain? What about buttock pain? Unfortunately, “sciatica” has been wrongly applied to all types and locations of leg pain. In 1948, the use of the word “sciatica” was declared “unhelpful” by a leading orthopedic specialist because it is limited to a certain location and really does not address the origin of the pain. Over the years, many older medical terms like sciatica have become archaic as the newer research technologies give doctors clearer definitions and a better understanding of the human body. Leg pain that comes from the low back is most accurately categorized as referred pain or neurogenic pain. These terms apply to all locations and address the origin of the pain. With these newer terms, the antiquated word, “sciatica”, has no place in the modern world. Sally has been waking up with right ...

Definition An exercise stress test is a screening tool to test the effect of exercise on your heart. See also: Stress echocardiography Thallium stress test Alternative Names Exercise ECG; ECG - exercise treadmill; EKG - exercise treadmill; Stress ECG; Exercise electrocardiography; Stress test - exercise treadmill How the test is performed You will walk on a treadmill or pedal on an exercise bicycle while the electrical activity of your heart is measured with an electrocardiogram ( ECG ), and blood pressure readings are taken. This will measure your heart's reaction to your body's increased need for oxygen. The test continues until: You reach a target heart rate You develop complications such as chest pain or an exaggerated rise or drop in blood pressure ECG changes show that your heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen You will continue to be monitored for 10 - 15 minutes after exercising, or until your heart rate returns to baseline. How to prepare for the test You must not eat, smoke, or drink be...

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